Winners Announced in 21st Annual Community College Run Events

Chan and Schweitzer Are Women’s and Men’s Overall Winners in the 10K Race

May 01, 2013

Considering the rainy days leading up to the event, nearly 790 runners and walkers welcomed a misty morning to take part in the 10K, 5K and Fun Run, held on April 27 at St. Charles Community College. The events were part of the college’s 21st annual RUN. LIVE. LEARN. event that drew more than 1,000 area residents for a morning of health, fitness and family recreation.

Doug Mendoza of Chesterfield rounds the corner to exit the campus for the second stage of the 10K race at the 21st annual RUN. LIVE. LEARN. event at St. Charles Community College on April 27.

“We are excited to offer such a fun, fitness-oriented event to the community each year,” said Heather McDorman, race co-coordinator and vice president for marketing and communications at the college. “It’s gratifying to see community members of all ages and ability levels participate in the run events, as well as have the opportunity to visit booths from a variety of local vendors.” The 10K and 5K courses are certified by USA Track and Field (USATF).

In the 10K Race, Alfred Chan, 16, of St. Charles, was first to cross the finish. Chan came in with a time of 35 minutes, 26 seconds, followed by Jeremy Collins at 35 minutes, 33 seconds. Katie Schweitzer, 24, of St. Peters, was the first woman to cross the finish line, coming in 5th overall with a time of 41:29. Chan and Schweitzer, the male and female overall winners, each received a $100 cash prize. Chan donated his winnings to SCC’s Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society and Schweitzer is donating her winnings to The One Fund Boston, Inc., to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred at the 2013 Boston Marathon.

In the top SCC student, alumni and employee 10K categories, the first male SCC student to cross the finish line was Max Cameron (46:49) and the first female student to finish was Amy Wilson (53:29). The first male alum to cross the finish line was Victor Halamicek (37:01), and the first female alum was Ashleigh Robinson (52:39). In the employee division, George Bognar (55:54), continuing education instructor, was the first male to cross the finish line. The first female employee to finish was Rachel Murphy, manager of workforce initiatives for nursing and allied health (54:49).

In the 5K Race, Trent Sever, 22, of Wood River, was first to cross the finish line. He came in with a time of 17 minutes, 55 seconds, followed by Najim Udchachon at 18 minutes, 33 seconds, and Greg Beasley at 20 minutes, 2 seconds. Samantha Cary, 12, of St. Charles, was the first female to cross the finish line, coming in sixth overall with a time of 20:29. Sever and Cary, the male and female overall winners, each received a $50 cash prize. Cary donated her winnings to the SCC Young People’s Theatre program.

In the top SCC student, alumni and employee 5K categories, the first male SCC student to cross the finish line was Darren Marcum (21:28) and the first female student to finish was Elena Hoffman (26:11). The first male alum to cross the finish line was Ian Turner (25:41), and the first female alum was Jennifer Burns (30:07). In the employee division, Paul Wright (20:27), physical education adjunct faculty member, was the first male to cross the finish line. The first female employee to finish was Beth Finders, professor of psychology (31:09).

A list of all winners in the various events at the 21st Annual 10K Race, 5K Race and Fun Run can be found at www.stchas.edu/run.

Nearly 150 trophies and medals were awarded in age group categories in the 10K, 5K and Fun Run events. About 264 runners entered the 10K race; the 5K, 363; and the Fun Run, 161. A total of 788 runners registered for the event.

New in 2013 was a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship to SCC. All 10K and 5K run registrants, ages 18 and above, were automatically entered into the drawing. The winner is Sherri Kulpa, 46, of Weldon Spring, and vice principal at Kirkwood High School. Kulpa has decided to donate the scholarship to a student in need at Francis Howell High School where her son goes to school, therefore taking advantage of the one-time transfer option available to the scholarship winner.

The college’s annual RUN. LIVE. LEARN. event also included some 50 exhibit booths with health and wellness information presented by hospitals, agencies, fitness organizations, businesses and institutions in the area.

For 2013 photos and information about next year’s event, visit stchas.edu/run.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.